US7088576B2 - Ruggedized, compact personal information appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A ruggedized, compact personal information appliance apparatus and process of manufacture is disclosed. The apparatus discloses an information appliance surrounded by an encapsulation element. The encapsulation element isolates predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions. The process of manufacturing discloses: identifying a predetermined set of environmental conditions; identifying a predetermined set of structures on the appliance, which are to be protected from the environmental conditions; selecting an encapsulation element which can protect the appliance from the environmental conditions; and surrounding the set of structures with the encapsulation element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal information appliances, and more particularly to a ruggedized, compact personal information appliance.

2. Discussion of Background Art

A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is becoming a generic term for any, typically handheld, computing device which permits users to store and retrieve information from in either business or consumer contexts. Often they are used for calendaring appointments and storing contact addresses. They can include a small keyboard, a touch sensitive pad, and some sort of display area. Others further included network communications capabilities permitting users to wirelessly download information or place phone calls.

The popularity of such PDAs stems primarily from this multi-functional ability to provide users with the information they need and when they need it, or so they are advertised as doing. In reality, PDAs are basically compact computers that would be more at home in a relatively sterile desktop environment or carried within a briefcases, as most laptops currently are. PDA warranties are often voided should such devices be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including high exposure to water or excessive humidity, and being dropped.

Such current designs are also often boxy and awkward to use, requiring two hands and specific lighting conditions, so that their displays are not washed-out to the point of becoming very difficult to view.

In response to the concerns discussed above, what is needed is an information appliance apparatus that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus which includes an information appliance surrounded by an encapsulation element. The encapsulation element isolates predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions.

The process of manufacturing the present invention includes the steps of: identifying a predetermined set of environmental conditions; identifying a predetermined set of structures on the appliance, which are to be protected from the environmental conditions; selecting an encapsulation element which can protect the appliance from the environmental conditions; and surrounding the set of structures with the encapsulation element.

These and other aspects of the invention will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description, drawings, and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of a ruggedized, compact personal information appliance;

FIG. 2 is a rearward view of one embodiment of the appliance;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the appliance;

FIG. 4 shows a relative size of one embodiment of the appliance; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for manufacturing the appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a ruggedized and preferably compact personal information appliance which in various embodiments can function as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a voice recorder, a still camera, a video camera, and a networked communication device. In general the appliance can be any instrument for capturing, carrying, and/or sharing information.

Preferably the appliance is encapsulated in a weatherproof and shock absorbent shell providing a user with all weather capability and rugged durability, thereby enabling such users to truly remain connected wherever they go, be it on the ski slopes, at the beach, or Kayaking down a river.

The appliance is also preferably of an ovoid shape which can be carried as easily as a Swiss Army Knife or around the neck with a lanyard. And, an embedded micro-display window permits a user to view information not only in complete privacy, but under all lighting conditions.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of a ruggedized, compactpersonal information appliance100. Only one preferred embodiment of theappliance100 is shown, however those skilled in the art will recognize that the functional and structural element of the present invention may be in whole or part be formed into many other embodiments of the present invention.

Theappliance100 includes an ovoid shapedfront surface102 which is preferably opaque. The ovoid form provides an ergonomic and organic shape which can be easily held within only one of a user's hands. Ovoid is herein clarified as an asymmetrical egg shape having two different elliptical halves.

On thefront surface102 are preferably a set of information capture sensors, including a camera/video capture senor104, and asound sensor106. Other sensors can be added as well. The camera/video capture senor104 permits a user to capture a set of optical images and preferably includes optical zoom and image stabilization features. Thesound sensor106 permits the user to either make personal voice or ambient sound recordings. Thesound sensor106 in conjunction with a speaker, also permits theappliance100 to function as a telephone.

Thefront surface102 also shows a portion of aremovable card slot108, (i.e. an I/O interface) which can acceptmemory cards110 or other devices for storing and/or accessing data, including a computer interface. Wireless communication capability is preferably built-in to theappliance100 as well.

A set ofbuttons112 and114 (i.e. a user control interface) at the periphery of theappliance100 enable users to control a selected set of functionality within theappliance100, such as activation of thecapture104 orsound106 sensors.

Theappliance100 also includes anencapsulation element116. Theencapsulation element116 preferably functions as a protective shell and isolates any sensitive components of theappliance100 from a selective set of harsh environments and impacts. Such harsh environments may include, the outdoors, sand, dust, water, high humidity, chemicals, as well as others known to those skilled in the art. Impacts may include shock from dropping theappliance100 from a variety of heights, scratches, and the like. Theencapsulation element116 can be formed using one or more layers of material. Materials include transparent or translucent materials, such as plastic or polycarbonate, as well as soft, shock-resistant materials, such as polymers, silicone, and rubber-like materials.

FIG. 2 is arearward view200 of one embodiment of theappliance100. Theappliance100 includes an ovoid shapedrear surface202 overlaid with afirst display area204, asecond display area206, and enshrouded with theencapsulation element116. Thefirst display area204 is preferably used for presenting a user with a variety of control and selection information which can be either scrolled through, using one or more of thebuttons112 and114, or moused through, using a touch pad208 (i.e. a user control interface). Thetouch pad208 also preferably functions as a biometric lock, permitting only registered users to operate theappliance100.

Thefirst display area204 preferably extends as a skin to theoutermost edges214 through220 of therear surface202. In this way theappliance100 can be sized as compactly as possible, while still providing a greatest display area possible. Preferably thefirst display area204 includes a transition region next to the outermost edges of therear surface202, which distorts (i.e. fades, blurs, etc.) information displayed on thefirst display area204 which falls in to the transition region toward the edges of theappliance100, making such information look like it is falling off the page. Also, thefirst display area204 preferably displays information in a “layered” format, whereby some information is sized relative to other information in order to create a three-dimensional effect. For example, aclock210 is shown on top ofother information212 in the background. Multiple colors can also be used to help key a user to more important or more relevant information as well. Thefirst display area204 also can be used for previewing live camera images and video.

Thesecond display area206 is preferably a “micro-display” used for presenting information to the user both more privately and more completely. A user places theappliance100 and thesecond display area206 right next to their eye for private viewing of documents, e-mail, or other selected information.Second display area206 screen images can be toggled or changed using thebuttons112 or114 while the user is holding thesecond display area206 next to their eye. Thesecond display area206, in one embodiment, displays information using mini-LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), allowing information to be viewed on the micro-display at a relative visual size equivalent to a 17″ monitor. Due to thesecond display area206 small size and close up viewing position, thesecond display area206 can be viewed under any lighting condition.

While a preferred set of information for each of the twodisplay areas204 and206 has just been discussed, those skilled in the art recognize that such information can be either interchangeably, or even redundantly, displayed.

FIG. 3 is aside view300 of the one embodiment of theappliance100, showing thefront surface102, thesound sensor106, thecard slot108, onebutton112,first display area204, and theencapsulation element116.

FIG. 4 shows arelative size400 of the one embodiment of theappliance100. As shown, a user'shand402 preferably can easily hold the appliance's100 organic/ergonomic shape. Theappliance100 can alternatively be carried in a pocket, hung around the neck with a lanyard, thereby allowing the PDA to be readily carried and used in an all activity context.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of amethod500 for manufacturing theappliance100. Themethod500 begins instep502 where thefirst display area204 is extended to theoutermost edges214 through220 of theappliance100. Next instep504, information displayed on thefirst display area204 is intentionally distorted toward the outermost edges of theappliance100. Instep506, thesecond display area206 is preferably embedded within thefirst display area204; however, those skilled in the art recognize that thesecond display area206 could as well be located nearly anywhere on theappliance100. Instep508, information displayed in thesecond display area206 is of a predetermined, relatively small, size, requiring a user to view the displayed information by holding thesecond display area206 at close proximity. Next instep510, preferably all portions of theappliance100 are surrounded by theencapsulation element116, except thecard slot108, thebuttons112 and114, thesecond display area206, and thetouch pad208, thereby providing a significant amount of environmental exposure protection to theappliance100.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made. Variations upon and modifications to these embodiments are provided by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an information appliance;

an encapsulation element, isolating predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions;

a first display area extending toward an outermost edge of the information appliance; and

a second display area embedded within the first display area.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1:

wherein the encapsulation element includes a transparent portion.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1:

wherein the encapsulation element includes a translucent portion.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1:

wherein the encapsulation element includes a shock absorbent portion.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1:

wherein the encapsulation element includes a weatherproof portion.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a set of control interfaces;

a set of I/O interfaces; and

wherein the encapsulation element covers all exterior portions of the appliance except the set of control and I/O interfaces.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein:

the first display area extends to the outermost edge and displays a first set of information.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the first display area includes:

a transition region next to the outermost edge which distorts that portion of the first set of information located within the transition region.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein:

the second display area, functions as a private display window for displaying information viewable to only one user at a time when the one user holds the appliance with one hand and ruts the second display area right next to the one user's eye.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 9:

wherein the second display area is of a size such that when held right next to a user's eye, allows information on the second display to be viewed by the user at a relative visual size equivalent to a desktop computer monitor.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the information appliance includes:

an image capture sensor;

a sound sensor; and

a memory card slot.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the information appliance has an ovoid shape.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

an information appliance;

a set of control interfaces;

a set of I/O interfaces;

a transparent encapsulation element covering all exterior portions of the appliance except the set of control and I/O interfaces;

an outermost edge;

a first display area extending to the outermost edge for displaying a first set of information;

a second display area, embedded within the first display area, for displaying information viewable to only one user at a time; and

an image capture sensor.

14. A process for manufacturing an information appliance, comprising:

identifying a predetermined set of environmental conditions;

identifying a predetermined set of structures on the appliance, which are to be protected from the environmental conditions;

selecting an encapsulation element which can protect the appliance from the environmental conditions; and

surrounding the set of structures with the encapsulation element;

extending a first display area toward an outermost edge of the information appliance; and

embedding a second display area within the first display area.

15. The process ofclaim 14, further comprising:

encapsulating the appliance in a translucent shell.

16. The process ofclaim 14, further comprising:

encapsulating the appliance in a transparent shell.

17. The process ofclaim 14, further comprising: encapsulating the appliance in a shock absorbent shell.

18. The process ofclaim 14, further comprising:

extending the first display area to the outermost edge of the appliance.

19. The process ofclaim 18, further comprising:

distorting the first display area proximate to the outermost edge.

20. The process ofclaim 18, further comprising:

displaying information in the second display area so as to be viewable to only a user holding the appliance right next to the user's eye, thereby allowing information on the second display to be viewed by the user at a relative visual size equivalent to a desktop computer monitor.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

an information appliance;

an encapsulation element, isolating predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions;

wherein the information appliance has an ovoid shape.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the first display area includes:

a transition region next to the outermost edge which fades that portion of the first set of information located within the transition region.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the first display area includes:

a transition region next to the outermost edge which blurs that portion of the first set of information located within the transition region.

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